Plane to map, collect data on Sarawak to arrive this year end – Dr Xavier

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KUCHING: An aircraft which will be specifically used to map and collect data on Sarawak is expected to arrive in the state by this year end, says Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

The Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister said the aircraft will be based in Sarawak and uses a Turnkey Hyperspectral Observation System which will assist in efforts to protect the country’s forests and wildlife.

“It’s a hyperspectral plane, basically to map the whole of Sarawak in terms of forests, wildlife, land use and also we can see what we have underground.

“With this, we can then have the full Big Data information on Sarawak which can then be used for the betterment of the state,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Dr Xavier, who earlier paid Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg a courtesy call at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, said the acquisition of the RM35 million aircraft from Austria will be fully funded by the federal government.

“The aircraft has already been approved by the cabinet. It will be based in Sarawak and placed under the Sarawak Forest Department, and can be used by all agencies under the ministry.”

On another issue, he shared that his ministry will be working together with the Sarawak government to develop groundwater in the state.

According to him, groundwater development projects have already commenced in Peninsular Malaysia and the ministry is looking to kick-start this development in Sarawak either by this year or early next year.

“I’ve just discussed this with the chief minister and he has agreed for us to work together.

“We will hold a meeting on this and after that, conduct 4D mapping of Sarawak for us to obtain the latest data. Once we have this data, this will be used to develop groundwater in Sarawak,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Water, Land and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji and Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources secretary-general Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh.